Self-heating hair setting device



' Dec. 19, 1967 I A, T. MANNING 3,358,733

SELF-HEATING HAIR SETTING DEVICE Filed Deo. 9, 1964 IN VEN TOR.

' ARTHUR T. M ING` BYMJ @i gg United States Patent O Filed Dec. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 416,981 3 Claims. (Cl. 158-20) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hair-treating device with a self-contained flameless combustion burner.

This invention relates in general to a device for use in the curling and setting of hair and in more particularity to a device in which the source of heat therefor is selfcontained.

It is old in the art to curl and set hair by means of devices known as curling irons in which the heat for said devices is supplied by an electric current. Such devices have to be plugged into an electrical outlet, making it inconvenient to use and cannot possibly be used in a location where no electric current is available.

It is also old in the art, dating back to the days before electrical power was available on a widerspread scale, to provide a self-heating iron in which a flame is used to heat the device with the flame being extinguished just prior to contact with the hair. Obviously devices of this nature have to be relit and extinguished quite often in order to keep enough heat available for curling or setting.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a self-heating hair setting device which requires no connection to a source of electrical power in which there is no llame present to endanger the hair of the user.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a selfheating hair setting device which may be used at any time and at any place without dependence upon outside factors such as an electrical connection to control its use.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a self-contained hair setting device which carries an amount of fuel which permits it to operate for a relatively extended length of time without refueling and consumes a minimumamount of fuel when in use.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a self-heating, self-contained hair setting device which is relatively simple in construction, easily assembled and disassembled, effective in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Further, it is an object ofmy invention to provide a self-heating hair setting device which may be used as a hair curler with a plurality of the devices left inside the curls until the hair is completely dry.

Further objects, advantages, and capabilities will be more apparent from the folowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a device according to my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an extinguishing device for use with the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of my invention with the device in operable position; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the modification shown in FIGURE 4 with the device in a non-operable carrying or storage position.

3,358,733 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 Referring now to FIGURE 1, the outside casing is shown as comprised of a top member 10 and a bottom member 11 fastened together by means of a bayonet type connection 12 on members 20 and 10. Member 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 13 located around the entire periphery thereof.

Extending parallel to and shaped so as to conform to the shape of member 10 is pivotable clamp 14 with thumb or linger actuator 15 on one end thereof. AS shown in FIGURE 2, actuator 15 is fastened to holder 16 by means of spring-controlled hinge 17. Holder 16 is inserted into slot 18 provided in member 10.

Member 10 is further provided with an opening 19 in the top thereof to permit the escape of any excess heat which may be present within this member.

Fitting within member 11 and extending outwardly therefrom is member 20. Member 20 has an annular flange 21 which serves as a spacing member for members 10 and 11. As shown in FIGURE 2, member 11 tits over member 20 until it contacts ange 21 and member 10 fits on the opposite end of member 20 to contact ange 21 from the opposite direction.

Within members 20 and 11 is fuel absorbing material 22 which may be of the nature of cotton wadding or other absorbent material.

Member 20 has an extension 23 of reduced cross-sectional area extending into the member 10. Extension 23 serves the dual purpose of holding burner 24 on the inside and holding curling member 25 on the outside thereof.

Member 25 is a curling member similar to member 10 only smaller in size for use in curling and setting situations when a smaller member is desired. It contains a plurality of openings 26 therein to permit thhe entrance of oxygen to the burner 24. Member 25 may be fastened to member 23 by means of a bayonet type joint such as that shown at 12 in FIGURE 1. It is also provided with an opening 34 near the one end thereof for insertion of a holder such as member 16 of clamp 14. Opening 27 is provided at the outside end of member 25 to permit the escape of excess heat and to prevent condensation from forming within the member 25.

Burner 24 consists of a hollow member 28 with an annular flange 29 on the outside thereof. Flange 29 is used for positioning burner 24 within member 23. The top of hollow member 28 is open except for U-shaped strap 30 which extends outwardly therefrom with the bottom of the U placed away from the body of member 28.

Within member 28 and extending up into strap 30 isv spring 31 covered by gauze-like material 32. These two members provide the actual burning surface of the device with the gauze-like material 32, for example, containing a precious metal catalyst to provide catalystic combustion of the fuel. The primary purpose of spring 31 is to provide a strengthening support for the member 32 and to hold it in proper location Within burner 24 while at the same time provide a chamber into which the vapors of the fuel rise so that they will pass through the openings in gauze-like material 32.

Shown in FIGURE 3 is a member 33 which may be used for extinguishing the combustion of burner 24 when so desired.

Operation of the device is as follows: member 410 is removed from member I20 by releasing the bayonet joint y12 and member 25 is removed from member 23 -by releasing a similar suitable bayonet joint. Burner 24 is then pulled outwardly from member 23 thus exposing the top of absorbent material 22. Fuel is then inserted into-material 22 and `burner 24 is replaced in member 23. If a fuel in a state other than liquid is used then absorbent material 22 may not be needed but the fuel is still placed Within member 11. For example, if butane in a solid state were to be used the fuel would be inserted within members and 1:1 with suitable control means at the top to permit adequate release of the fuel as needed.

With burner 24 backin place, heat from an outside source, such as a match, is applied to the gauze-like material 34. The heat will ignite the vapors from the fuel and in so doing draw more vapors from the fuel storage space. As these vapors pass through gauze-like material 3-2 the precious metal catalyst in the gauze will react Iwith oxygen to support a nameless burning of fuel vapors. Gauze 34 and therefore burner 24 Vwill provide a source of constant heat which is not accompanied by a fiame which might injure the hair or body of the person.

Either member or member y10 is then used to set and curl the hair as desired. If member 25 is used, clamp 14 is attached thereto by insertion of member 16 into opening '34. If member 10 is used, clamp 14 is attached 4thereto by insertion of member 16 into opening 18. Openings 13 and A26, of whichever member is used, provide an inlet for the entran-ce of oxygen to support the combustion of burner 24. As burner 24 provides heat it is transferred to the members 215 or -10 and to the air surrounding said member. Clamp -1-4 is used for positioning the hair as desired and the heat of burner 24 is used to dry the moisture from the hair so as to set it.

When the use of the device is completed the members 10 or 25 are removed and cap 33 of FIGURE 3 is placed over the burner 24. It comes to rest on -iiange 29 of member 28 and closes off the supply of oxygen to burner 24 thus extinguishing the combustion. Cap 33 may be left in this position and members 24 and -10 placed back on the device with cap 33 fitting in the space between burner 24 and member 25 as shown in (FIGURE 2.

In the embodiment shown in lFIGURES 4 and 5 the outside casing is shown as comprised of members 40 and 411. Member 40 has a plurality of openings 42 around the periphery thereof with an opening 43 near the lower end for insertion of holder 44 of clamp 45. Clamp 45 is attached to holder 44 by means of spring-actuated hinge 46 and is provided with a thumb or finger press 47. Opening 48 is provided for the escape of excess heat from within member 40 so as to prevent an accumulation of condensation within the member 40.

Member 41 is of a smaller cross-sectional area than mem-ber 40 and has a screw-closed opening 49 therein for insertion of liquid fuel into fuel absorbent material 50.

The top end of member 41 is provided with an annular flange 51 on Which hollow member 52 of burner 53 rests. Burner 53 is also provided with a U-shaped strap 54, a spring 55 and gauze-like material 56 in much the same manner as bu-rner 24 of FIGURE 2.

Slidably surrounding member 41 is spacer sleeve 57 which has a flange 58 upon which member 40 rests. Member 40 may be connected -to sleeve 57 by a suitable bayonet joint.

Continguous -to flange 58 is gasket 59 `and gasket holder 60, both held to s1ecve57 by means of suitable fasteners 61.

Sleeve 57 also provides an -annular flange 62 upon which flange 51 of member 41 rests when in the posi-tion shown in FIGURE 4. Flange `51 also provides a surface around which member 63 ts and which may be fastened thereto by a suitable bayonet joint.

Member 63 is provided with a plurality of openings- 64 for the escape of heat and an opening 65 for the accommodation of holder 44 of clamp 45.

Within the member I63, at the outer end thereof and fastened thereto by fastener 66, is extinguisher 67. Located in the side of member 63 at -a position below extinguisher 67 is opening 68 to permit exit ofexcess heat.

Operation of this embodiment of my invention is as follows: with the device in the storage position of FIGURE 5, member 49 is removed and fuel is fed into the fuel absorbent material 50. If desired, this embodiment may be filled with fuel in the same manner as described in 4 relation to FIGURES 1 and 2; likewise, the FIGURES 1 and 2 embodiment may be filled by means of the screwclosed opening such as 49.

With adequate fuel in the device member 41 is grasped and pulled outwardly. `In so doing 41 rides Within sleeve 57 and gasket j59 provides adequate friction to oter a relatively tight lit.

When 41 is pulled outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 4, flange 51 contacts the top of flange 62 of sleeve 57.

Members 40 and 63 a-re each removed from sleeve 57 and a suitable ame is applied to burner 53 in order to start the catalystic combustion reaction within gauze 56.

Then either member 63 or 40 is placed back on sleeve y57 and clamp 45 is applied thereto with holder 44 fitting into either opening 65 or 43. Openings 42 in member 40 and openings J64 in member 63 provide for entrance of oxygen to support the combustion in burner 5-3.

After the use Iof the device is ended, member 63 is placed on sleeve x57, member 40 is placed over it and attached to sleeve 57. Member 41 is pushed inwardly with burner 53 'fitting up inside extinguisher 67. Once in this position the supply of oxygen to burner 53 is cut off and combustion ceases.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a self-contained hair setting device which may be used at any time and `at any place to either set the hair, remove moisture from the hair, touch up a previous setting, or one of many other uses. It requires no electrical connection but it is easily operated by simply applying a flame thereto to initiate combustion.

`If desired the entire device may be made small enough to permit the use of it as a curler. In so doing, the user would roll the hair over ythe device in the same manner as hair is rolled over curlers in use today and the lighted device `would remain pinned inside the eurler to dry the hair from the inside. 'Ihus considerable time would be saved in setting and drying a head of hair.

While I have shown and described only two embodiments of my invention it is understood that it is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention, but on the contrary, is given for the purpose of illustration in in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof, and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify and adapt it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use, and still be within the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

v1. A self-heating hair setting device comprising (a) a first hollow member forming a handle,

(b) said `first hollow member providing a fuel storage space,

(c) a second hollow member,

(d) a connectin-g member to which said rst and second hollow members are detachably connected at opposite ends thereof,

(e) a ameless combustion burner held by said connecting member and extending into said second hollow member,

(f) said burner being in communication with said fuel storage space,

(g) a gauze-like material containing a precious metal catalyst forming the outer surface of said burner,

(h) said second hollow member having a plurality of Ventilating openings adjacent said burner,

(i) a detachable clamp on the outside of said second hollow member, and

(j) said clamp being pivotable away from said second hollow member.

2. A selfheating hair setting device comprising (a) a rst hollow member forming a handle,

(b) a second hollow member,

(c) a 'spacing member slidably enclosing a portion of said first hollow member,

(d) said second hollow member detachably connected to the outside of said spacing member,

(e) a ameless combustion burner in one end of said frst hollow member,

(f) said burner extending into the inside of said second hollow member,

(g) Ventilating openings in said second hollow mem-ber at the end nearest said spacing member, and

(h) a detachable clamp on the outside of said second hollow member.

3. A self-heating hair setting device comprising (a) a :first hollow member forming a handle and providing a fuel storage space,

(b) a second hollow member,

(c) a spacing member slidably enclosing a portion of said first hollow member,

(d) said second hollow member detachably connected to the outside of said spacing member,

(e) a flameless combustion burner in one end of said rst hollow member,

(f) ysaid burner comprised of a gauze-like material containing a precious metal catalyst,

(g) `s-aid burner being in communication with said fuel storage space,

(h) said burner extending into the inside of said second hollow member,

(i) Ventilating openings in said second hollow member at the `end nearest said spacing member,

(j) combustion extinguishing means at the opposite end `of said second hollow membe-r, and

(k) -a detachable clamp on `the outside of said second hollow member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS `618,184 1/1899 Nolan 158-21 1,266,162 5/1918 Rosin 158-96 1,179,938 4/-1916 Krebs 158-21 FOREIGN PATENTS 366,713 2/ 1932 Great Britain.

LAWRENCE W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SELF-HEATING HAIR SETTING DEVICE COMPRISING (A) A FIRST HOLLOW MEMBER FORMING A HANDLE, (B) SAID FIRST HOLLOW MEMBER PROVIDING A FUEL STORAGE SPACE, (C) A SECOND HOLLOW MEMBER, (D) A CONNECTING MEMBER TO WHICH SAID FIRST AND SECOND HOLLOW MEMBERS ARE DETACHABLY CONNECTED AT OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, (E) A FLAMELESS COMBUSTION BURNER HELD BY SAID CONNECTING MEMBER AND EXTENDING INTO SAID SECOND HOLLOW MEMBER, (F) SAID BURNER BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FUEL STORAGE SPACE, (G) A GAUZE-LIKE MATERIAL CONTAINING A PRECIOUS METAL CATALYST FORMING THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BURNER, (H) SAID SECOND HOLLOW MEMBERR HAVING A PLURALITY OF VENTILATING OPENINGS ADJACENT SAID BURNER, (I) A DETACHABLE CLAMP ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID SECOND HOLLOW MEMBER, AND 